No matter the status of your green thumb, there are some really interesting options for gardening here in Los Alamos. The topsoil here on the Pajarito Plateau isn’t ideal for growing gardens, but modern farming and gardening technology have come up with soil additives and organic fertilizing options that can help you with everything from basic fertility issues to improving the taste of your vegetables and fruits.

If your home is older and you’re located on a large lot, you might have plenty of room for a garden. Sunlight might be a problem if you live on a lot filled with towering trees or one that happens to be in the shadow of the mountains. Maybe you’re in one of the newer developments such as Quemazon or Mirador and you don’t have the space for a garden. That doesn’t exclude you from the enjoyment of growing your own flowers, fruits, and vegetables here in Los Alamos. It just means you might want to check into joining one of the community gardens.

If you’re scratching your head and wondering what I’m talking about, you’re probably not alone. Many residents don’t realize that our lovely city on the hill boasts three separate locations for community gardening. There’s a fairly well known plot up on North Mesa accessible from the North Mesa Stables, another in front of the Police Station, and a third in White Rock. The White Rock Community Garden is directly across State Road 4 from the Visitor Center near the Canada del Buey trailhead.

Community Gardens have a long history here in the United States. According to the Smithsonian’s education and gardening website, “Since the 1890s, Americans have turned to the garden to confront social problems such as economic recession, war, urban decline, and environmental injustice.” You’ve probably heard of Victory Gardens, popular during WWI and WWII, but you might not know that a good number of the Victory or “War Gardens” from WWI were Community Gardens. And it wasn’t just morale they were trying to boost either. There was a shortage of food during these times. “The War Garden Commission reported there were 3,500,000 war gardens in 1917, which produced some 350 million dollars worth of crops.” (communitygardens.si.edu)

Photo Courtesy of the Smithsonian Institute Archives

Community Gardening programs were kickstarted in large cities during recession, depression, and periods of heightening unemployment. Why? Because it gave people something to do. It’s good for the body and soul to be outside under the sun working hard. And growing food to feed your family is just as important as taking the excess produce to the Farmers’ Market to earn some much needed cash. With the rise of the Farm to Table movement, this has literally become a way of life for not just family farms, but also enterprising individuals.

With the recent social and political issues going on not only in our country, but internationally, there has never been a better time to get outside and garden! Here in Los Alamos, the growing season is just getting underway. I’ve been noticing members of the Community Gardens out clearing the fall collection of leaves and debris away from their garden plots in preparation for planting. If you’d like to be a part of the Los Alamos Community Gardening movement, contact the Parks & Recreation Department for more information. If you’ve ever wondered what the Parks department actually does here in Los Alamos, they maintain 29 parks and 20 playgrounds covering 600 acres, 4,000 acres of open space, and 58 miles of local trails. Of course, there’s also management of the North Mesa Stables, the Community Gardens, and more than a few amazing amenities like the Aquatic Center and the Ice Rink. So when you’re ready to start growing your own produce in your Community Garden Plot, they’re the department to call.

Worried you have a brown thumb instead of a green one? That’s okay! There are tons of resources online and around Los Alamos to help out. 4-H Cooperative Extension is a wealth of information about soil and land conservation. According to the Smithsonian, part of the community gardening movement has been a growth of School Gardens. The idea of the School Garden actually dates back to the early 1900s. But organizations like Montessori and many public school districts have continued the use of gardening as a way to educate your kiddos in concepts of science, economics, and nutrition. In many large urban areas, outdoor pre-schools are becoming the choice of parents wanting their children to learn about green, growing things.

Here in Los Alamos, the North Mesa Stables based Little Farm on the Hill is working to offer “farm school” classes focused on nutrition and wellness, gardening, and animal husbandry. Keep an eye out for their upcoming camps in Summer of 2022. And if you want to join your kids in learning how to grow a few things, check in with the Los Alamos Garden Club and ask for local resources on how to get your garden growing in Los Alamos.

So get your favorite pair of outdoor shoes and some gloves and get outside this spring! It’s a beautiful time of year here in Los Alamos and there’s no better time to get involved. And when you’re ready to buy and sell real estate here in Los Alamos, look me up! I’ve love to talk Los Alamos Real Estate with you!